Hunger-strike in Zhodzina Is over
According to RFE/RL
They stated it on 6 June, during the press conference of youth activists of democratic movement. The hunger-strikers from other regions (who also supported the action against remands of youth from educational establishments) stopped hungering as well.
The leader of Zhodzina branch of Young Front Paviel Krasouski reminded about the reasons for the hunger-strike that started on 25 May:
-- This day activists from Zhodzina started rehabilitating after the hunger-strike. It was the extreme step. However, the authorities also used extremely violent measures – they remanded youth from educational establishment for expression of their active public position. This hunger-strike of children left no one indifferent. Every citizen of Belarus who has children now thinks that their children can also get in such a situation.
Beside Zhodzina citizens, the action was supported by about fifteen representatives of other regions. According to the hunger-strikers, their action brought some results. It caused a wide resonance. As a result the two pupils of girls’ gymnasium who protested against the remand of Siarhiei Murashka from Zhodzina Polytechnics weren’t remanded from there. On the other hand, the authorities refused to rehabilitate Siarhiei Murashka at the place of study. He still hopes for the better:
-- I want to continue my studies very much, in the same group, with the friend who even submitted a petition to Zhodzina Town Executive Committee to defend me. They still tell to teachers not to cross my name out of their mark registers.
According to Zhodzina activists, they will continue fighting for Murashka. Aliaksandr Vinahradau:
-- The hunger-strike is over, but our protest is not and it won’t end.
The action participants consider the officials guilty in persecution of young activists and remands from educational establishments must be taken responsible for it. That’s why they prepare an appeal to the international community. Paviel Krasouski stated:
-- We will apply to ambassadors of the European community and the US with the request to prohibit them entrance to the EU and the US. Now we can call some surnames. Among Zhodzina citizens there is Uladzimir Siamashka, first deputy chair of Zhodzina Town Executive Committee, Piatro Talierchyk, director of Zhodzina Polytechnics, Mrs. Hryshkievich, chair of the ideological department of Zhodzina Town Executive Committee, Mr. Iliich – vice-chair of the police on public order and Valiery Kasheuski – chair of Zhodzina Town Executive Committee. This list is not complete.
According to the action participants, they are also going to include a number of officials from the Ministry of Educations in this list.
